barring

American

[bahr-ing] / ˈbɑr ɪŋ /

preposition

excepting; except for.

Barring accidents, I'll be there.

barring British

/ ˈbɑːrɪŋ /

preposition

unless (something) occurs; except for

barring rain, the match will be held tomorrow

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of barring

First recorded in 1475–85; bar ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The foul came with a one-game suspension, barring Balogun from playing against Belgium tonight at 8 Eastern.

From Slate • Jul. 6, 2026

The panel found Hubbard and Baack were likely to succeed in their 1st Amendment claim and granted a preliminary injunction barring the city from enforcing the ordinance as it had been.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

An arbitrator issued an interim award barring Wynn-Williams, her lawyers and others from disparaging Meta or promoting the book.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

Well, there is certainly a sense within the camp that the team that started in Orlando, barring maybe one or two exceptions, will be the side that begins the tournament.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

Many participles have turned into prepositions, such as according, allowing, barring, concerning, considering, excepting, excluding, failing, following, given, granted, including, owing, regarding, and respecting, and they don’t need subjects at all.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023